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Sexual Harassment in the Idaho National Guard

It’s wrong!

It’s illegal!

It won’t be tolerated!

It’s as simple as that!!

STOP

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Overview

OBJECTIVES:

-Provide useful training on sexual harassment prevention to all personnel working in, and with, the Idaho National Guard.

-Establish the relationship between equal opportunity, sexual harassment prevention, and readiness.

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Prevention of Sexual Harassment

What is sexual harassment?

Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in the workplace.

A form of discrimination that falls under “sex discrimination.”

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT

“Workplace” is an expansive term for military members and may include conduct on or off duty.

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SEXUAL HARASSMENTSubmission to such conduct is made either, explicitly or

implicitly, a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career or

Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person, or

Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

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TYPES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Quid Pro Quo - related to terms or conditions of employment and/or an employment decision; “something for something” or “this for that.”

Hostile Work Environment - relates to a disruptive and /or offensive work environment.

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Examples of Quid Pro Quo:

“Submit to my sexual requests or you will be fired, demoted, intimidated, passed over for promotion, or some other way made miserable on the job.”

Harasser has the power to control the victim’s job destiny.

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT-- discussing sexual activities

-- unnecessary touching

-- commenting on physical attributes

-- displaying sexually suggestive pictures

-- using demeaning or inappropriate terms, such as “Babe”

-- using unseemly gestures

-- ostracizing workers of one gender by those of the other

-- granting job favors to those who participate in consensual sexual activity

-- using crude and offensive language

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT VICTIMS

Originally - Women

Later - Men

Most recently - Same Sex

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HOW TO ADDRESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT SITUATIONS

CONSTRUCTIVELY

Victims - All or any of the following1. Indicate to the harasser that the behavior is unwelcome -

firmly but in a pleasant manner whenever possible.

2. Keep a record of instances and follow-up actions.

3. Notify your supervisor.

4. Ask co-workers if they observed the behavior;get witnesses whenever possible.

5. Talk to an EEO Counselor at your unit level, or the SEEM at state headquarters.

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HOW TO ADDRESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT SITUATIONS

CONSTRUCTIVELY

CO-WORKERS If you witness questionable behavior:

1. Ask employee (victim) if it is a problem and offer assistance.

2. Mention the incident to your supervisor.3. Talk to harasser about any behavior that

bothers you personally.

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HOW TO ADDRESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT SITUATIONS

CONSTRUCTIVELY Supervisors

If you become aware of questionable behavior, even if there is no complaint:

1. Must take immediate and corrective action.2. Look for evidence of illegal or improper

behavior.3. Document action taken.4. Communicate action taken to the employee and

explain what he or she should do if problem repeats.

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TO PREVENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Examine your own personal behavior

Show respect for individuals regardless of your or their work position

Provide an environment free of intimidating hostility, or psychological stress

Control social interactions so that they do not interfere with productivity, and

Take corrective action(s) whenever sexual behavior is displayed.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

Agency - responsibility exists even when the acts were not complained of,

were forbidden, and management did not know they were occurring.

Organizations can meet their responsibilities by taking immediate and appropriate action to correct the problem.

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RESPONSIBILITES

Supervisory - Must take immediate action to correct sexual

harassment situations.

Conduct thorough and fair inquiry into complaints. If there is a finding of sexual harassment, apply appropriate, realistic and consistent discipline.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

You are responsible for preventing sexual harassment.

Employees must conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, consistent with Federal rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

If you become aware that your behavior is offensive, you have the responsibility to stop the behavior even if it was not malicious or intended to create problems.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EO, SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION, AND

READINESS

Human resources are our greatest asset in the Idaho National Guard.

Treating all personnel fairly, with dignity and respect can only improve mission readiness.

Supervisors are directly responsible for welfare of their people

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Readiness and Sexual Harassment

Discrimination, including sexual harassment -- Interferes with unit cohesion and mission accomplishment.

Complaints

Low morale

Loss of skills/threatens recruitment and retention

Productivity

Unhealthy stress

Anxiety

Feelings of lowered self-esteem

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IS A READINESS ISSUE

All of our employees deserve to work and train in an environment free from any kind of illegal discrimination. History has shown us that when the commander/supervisor provides this environment, productivity, unit cohesion and therefore, readiness, improve.

--William A. Navas, Jr. (Ret) MG Director, Army National Guard November 1996

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ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

-- Your commander or supervisor

-- Local Equal Opportunity Employment

Counselor -- for technician/military complaints

-- State headquarters SEEM

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS...

Illegal

Inappropriate

Disrespectful

There is a zero tolerance level in the Idaho National Guard

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WORKPLACE INTEGRITY IF YOU WOULDN’T WANT IT SAID OR

DONE, TO OR AROUND YOUR… PARENT SIBLING FRIEND SPOUSE CHILD

IT DOESN’T BELONG IN THE WORKPLACE

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IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS , NEED ADVICE OR DIRECTION ON HOW TO DEAL WITH A SITUATION

CALL THE

IDAHO NATIONAL GUARDEQUAL EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITY OFFICE

At

(208)272-4223DSN 422-4223

Lt Col Beverly BracewellState Equal Employment Manager (SEEM)